Internal fixation of the clavicle can provide immediate rigid stabilization and facilitate early mobilization. The purpose of this study was to compare the clinical outcome between the locked and the nonlocked plate fixation of the mid-shaft clavicle fractures. We examined 24 patients with mid-shaft clavicle fractures who underwent surgical treatments from 2005. They were treated with 12 locked plates (group L) (average age 41.5 years, 2B1 in all cases according to Robinson classification) and 12 nonlocked plates (group N) (average age 43.6 years, 2B1 in 10 cases and 2B2 in 2 cases). Locked and nonlocked plates were fixed with two and three screws in the proximal and distal clavicle, respectively. The final outcome was assessed using the rate of bone union, complications and JOA score. Statistical analysis of data was performed using Mann-Whitney U test. Bone union was achieved in all fractures. Average union time for the mid-shaft clavicle fractures was significantly different between group L (14.8 ± 5 weeks) and group N (23.5 ± 8 weeks). However, JOA score at final follow-up was not significantly different between group L (87.0 points ± 12.3) and group N (89.8 points ± 9.1). There were the same clinical results between locked and nonlocked plates fixation for the mid-shaft clavicle fractures. However, the period of bone union is shorter for locked plate than nonlocked plate. This paper suggested that both plating systems were effective procedures for mid-shaft clavicle fractures.
